Stone - Travertine

In cool limestone regions, calcite-rich water seeps down through rocks to fill cavities with stalactites and stalagmites.

Geologists have christened this phenomenon 'tufa' and it can be found near hot springs or cascades. Here it is formed by tiny particles that are carried up through watery sprays, to become almost 'a river frozen in time'. Travertines are the deposits left behind. Usually of pale colour, and due to their marble-like qualities, they have been prized by sculptors for millennia.

Umbrian White Travertine Tiles
The slightly matt texture of this filled stone gives it a luxuriant, silky feel and allows the subtle mingled shades of buff and cream to be shown off to their best advantage.

Umbrian Gold Travertine Tile - Octagon Dot
The classic laying down of floor tiles in what we nowadays call an 'octagon dot' patten remains one of the simplest and most pleasing of all geometric designs.

The contrasts afforded by shape, size and colour also make it on eof the most versatile and popular with interior designers. Though its origins are lost in time it was certainly used to regal effect in ancient Babylon.